City threatened to stage an improbable comeback when Gary Hooper struck following two goals inside the first 12 minutes from Raheem Sterling and Luis Suarez but England starlet Sterling punished Bradley Johnson for a weak pass to slot his second and Robert Snodgrass’ glancing late header was not enough to ease their relegation fears at Carrow Road. Norwich remain two points clear of the bottom three ahead of league games against Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

“I thought we deserved something from the game, particularly with the second-half performance. The first-half performance wasn’t good enough. We were playing against a top team and you can’t give these types of team an inch or they will punish you,” said Adams. “They are at the top of the table and that’s why they’ve got top-class players in their side and we didn’t get close enough in the tackles. We were a little bit shy with our passing and maybe a bit off the pace. Certainly in the second half I couldn’t ask any more of them.

“The application from the players (in the second half) was precisely the response that you want. What you don’t want is Liverpool running all over you and dominating the game and from the first whistle in the second half you could see we were about it.

“We had that belief we could go on and do something against a top side and the key message from that is that we’ve got three key games coming up. The second half performance is what we need in those three (games) and if we can do that we’re still very confident we can get enough points to stay in the division.”

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers hailed Sterling’s sparkling display as the Reds moved five points clear at the top in their bid for a first Premier League crown.

“He is the best young player in European football at the moment,” said Rodgers. “At 19 years of age you don’t see anyone better. His intelligence with the ball, his movement and he’s scoring goals. His first goal was a wonderful strike. He’s just shifted it, got his shot off; to beat a goalkeeper of John Ruddy’s quality shows you the quality of the strike. His pass for Luis’ goal was like a top midfield player, so there’s an assist, and his position for the counter attack when he broke away and obviously gets a bit of luck on the deflection but his overall performance he’s shown so much maturity.”

The Northern Irishman also revealed how he inspired his side ahead of kick-off following an emotional week for the club.

“We’ve come off the back of the week where we held the memorial service for Hillsborough,” said Rodgers. “We used Margaret Aspinall (chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group), one of her quotes she made on the day as a real motivation for us going into the game and real encouragement for us and the players are helping themselves. They’re winning games and they are very hungry. We have qualified for the Champions League. That was the objective and we can finish no lower than third which is an incedible achievement for the team and the squad.”

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Well, the performance was far better than expected (whether this is attributable to NA is questionable) and I feel that if Norwich put up the same fight that we saw in the 2nd half then we are in with a chance of beating Man United.
Just a note regarding Chris Hughton - hes gone so lets please stop going on and on about him. Frankly its boring.
To all those who are saying "he should have gone at Xmas" and that he "shouldnt have been given a chance" I ask this...what are next weeks lottery numbers because clearly you have the power of vision!
Fact is Football management is a very topsy turvy occupation. Team does well and you get knighthoods. Do badly and banshees scream for your head.
Oh, finally, insofar as McNally "answering" for his decisions? Well, if he has to answer any questions then it wont be from the fans. He answers to the shareholders NOT the fans. Ok?

Though I don't know the procedures, I am sure that McN could not fire the manager without the board's agreement and it would appear that he may have been pressing that button for a while. This probably explained his down-in-the-mouth silence on the issue earlier this year. If the worst does come to pass, which has to be more likely than not. I agree that NA building a strong, young home-grown squad in the Championship (for a year) would not be a disaster.

Old Balls, wonder if we will ever get to know the boards individual collective position re. CH departure. McNally was seen as a big asset until this season and always a strong determined figure. This season has come over as weak and indecisive. What happened really? I as a shareholder hope we get to ask the question at the AGM. I expect a higher turnout this time around.

Barking, generally agree but keep the faith for the next 3 games. It will still probably all go down to the last game and Arsenal may or may not have something to play for by then. Discussion regardless turns to what will happen to the manager. In Adams, I believe we have one who can develop into a top English manager and would be looking to build a management team around him. Not without it's risks but then very few are. Looking at this team assuming relegartion, some of the better ones would run for the door rather than play in the C'ship and some strengthening would be required.

All is not lost, there are at last some positive signs for the future. I have long been an advocate of Adam and am sure he will go on to be a great manager, given a fair chance. But surely McNally has to walk at the end of the season as it is his obstinacy that has got us in this predicament.

Never mind, in 3-4 years we will be able to look back and wonder how such a negative manager was kept on for so long, and have discussions if Hughton was worse than Roeder, or Hamilton, or Grant, or Gunn . God we have had some lemons here , any continuity in who picks them?

If only the buffoon McNally had listened to me back in August 2012 when I told you all Hughton was a w*****, the whole Board should hang there head in shame and resign, I am ready to take over as CEO as the fans " prophet" or where are all those happy clappers now

Yes, questions will need to be asked of the Board if we go down as to why they did remove Hughton four months ago, but despite Neil's amazing revolution we are still falling foul of Johnson's inability to either close down or keep possession. He was responsible for gifting two of their goals today. But I do love the fact that my Norwich City is back under Adams and that we actually attacked as a team for most of the game.

Two years of futility. Two years of management espousing a policy of negative, passive football Millions of dollars spent on either timid or simply inept footballers who have improved the team not a jot. Two years of wallowing in the lower regions of the BPL. Result, a team that has been stifled of initiative, and deprived of its talents.Starved of improvisation we were left with a team that preferred to play the game across the field rather than up and down the pitch and forgot how and lost its determination, to score goals. But today for 34 of an hour the team became tough, determined and purposeful. For 34 of an hour we became a team and at times threatened to run Gerrard, his team and their arrogant manager out of Carrow Rd. It's a start guys. We did not know how to sustain the effort but the team felt alive and I could sense some serious testosterone on the rise. In two short games under the new manager, the team is on the rise. But so much to be done and we really have to deal with the striker issue.. But it's a start and God I hope we can scratch out 4 or 5 points over the next three games.OTBC

Todays performance has just made me more furious,bitter and resentful to Hughtons era. I just want the board to explain why he didnt go at Xmas. This performance,3 months earlier and we were safe.Lack of action will cost us millions and our premier place. Thanks Chris..a season of negative non scoring rubbish and a style which someone has managed to change in only two games....wasnt difficult after all was it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did notcould not, watch the match, I was expecting the score to be another blow out for liverpool, Sorry. Now we come to the point that there appears to be a revival of spirt in the team and a desire to make it in the Premiership. The "if only's" need to be put aside and the support given to the manager and team in positive light.. The "if only's" only concern if my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle, so let's not say Uncle till the final whistle of the season...

Still the fat lady is not singing, although Dawn French is waiting in the wings (this won't clear the censors will it). Meanwhile we write the obituary and wait for the canary to draw its last breath. And then we can do the blame game. In fact, I was doing that this morning after the Sunderland result put me in a bad mood and was not too well received for blaming the board. I notice however the posters tonight are different so perhaps you will be kinder to me. First, I don't think there are now any detractors from the view Hughton was tolerated far too long. Was that entirely down to McNally? I suspect not because he surely has to seek approval from the full board for a dismissal. So the failure was collective but if we assume the board is going nowhere, which some seem to favour, then have they at least learnt from their mistakes? I am not just talking Hughton, but Worthy, Hamilton, Rioch, Roeder, Grant, Gunn. They got lucky with Lambert (now as popular at Villa as Hughton was here). Something needs to be done if we are to prevent the cycle of bad appointments repeating. Maybe a non exec football man on the board. It's just one idea but when the writing on the wall is ten feet high we need someone who can see it.

When are we going to get some luck? They get two deflections and they both end up in the back of the net. We get one and sure as eggs are eggs it goes wide. Our luck must change soon. well done boys, you done us all proud. It's not over yet!

A great performance from the lads today gives me hope that we can still beat the odds and get out of this - play like that against United and we should get a point or three; Chelsea's "never beaten at the bridge" aura has gone, plus they have to play two midweek Champions League semi-finals before playing us (not to mention Liverpool), so hopefully they will be tired (and if they lose to Liverpool, out of the title race as well!) and then Arsenal at home - fingers crossed 4th place will be sewn up for someone by then as well! It's not over yet - OTBC!

How to be wise after the event. I said on this site at the beginning of the season that Hughton should go and was immediately called a troll and nearly all contributors claimed he was the man and should be given a chance. Now many of those same people are stating the obvious and claiming brownie points for being right all along!?!?!? Lets face it, typical Norwich supporters. We will hear it all again in a few months when NA fails and gets the big heave ho.

Great, gutsy, second half performance that deserved a point. Adams has certainly managed to quickly instill back into the side a desire and commitment which Hughton and his team completely drained out of everyone. He was a disaster and as Citizen says should have gone at Christmas. In fact for me he should have gone long before. The debacle that was the Luton FA Cup game showed how far he had already dragged us down. As for McNally - maybe it was down to getting a majority decision from the Board? Whoever was to blame, I agree, they must take much of the blame for being so blindly committed to Hughton. Back to the game, the first half showed why we can't score a goal - hardly any decent quality into the box. Crosses, free kicks and corners either over or under hit often by a mile. Second half we started to use the ball well and may have gone on to get an equaliser except for Johnson's unfortunate misplaced pass which let them in for their third goal, albeit a lucky deflection. One thing we must learn to do, however, is to be a bit more visionary. We still tend to be very predictable. I was thinking for instance of Southampton's clever corner kick that led to their first goal. Instead of lumping it into the box, the lad pushed it to an unmarked outfield player who was able to run on and hit a shot which the keeper couldn't hold, allowing them to score from the rebound. I feel our dead ball kicks are always the same and we never try the unexpected. I know we don't have the most creative players, but things like that can be learned on the training ground. Sadly we got nothing to show for a good 45 minutes display this afternoon. But if we can show the same level of application in the next three games we may just get a 23 points. Might not be enough but at least it will restore some dignity.

The fat lady isnt singing but she's in her dressing room. If only, oh if only McNally had listened to the voice of the fans before Christmas we would probably would have got the mid table finish we all had aspirations for. Neil will have this relegation on his CV whilst that "nice" Mr Hughton walks away unscathed and claiming unjust dismissal. Look at it Chris and realise what a complete ba**s up you and your muppets made of trying to manage our team. Now the same players are playing with more freedom and passion and actually want to win, unlike you. Oh well, the trolls, whose team lost to the mighty Watford yesterday, will only laugh at our demise till we thump them twice next year OTBC

Yes indeed guys. I'm from the North-West where the attitude to failing managers is considerably more ruthless than it is in East Anglia ( not that I could care less, but I couldn't believe how long De Orish Eeedjut + Fatty Jewell were tolerated @ Portaloo). Hughton really should've been sacked in January + we're now paying for the club's largesse towards him. I don't know about compo...he should be repaying City some of his salary, because he certainly wasn't doing the job he was paid to do. If we do go down I'll be interested to see if Neil gets the nod, or they get someone else in. I think he'll certainly get a 1 year contract if we stay up- OTBC !!!

The lesson that any player should take from Suarez is that you can knock him down but he will strive to control the direction of the ball. All the fall guys should take note that that is the way to do it.

Waclor, I couldn't agree more!! Why why why didn't we give Hughton the boot long ago.
I bet the board are kicking themselves for waiting so long.
Yes we did lose today, but it almost feels like a win because of our performance.

I can now be proud of our club again!! In my 50 years as a supporter that is all I ever asked. I have now reached the concessionary years after DM whipped it away from me a few years ago. I aint going to dessert them now!!!

Further proof that Hughton was a complete waste of space. Are you reading this West Brom? He's the sort of manager your enemies would choose for you. Hang your heads in shame, McNally, Steady On and all you other former Hughton apologists.

Second half performance was what we have been starved of for so long. First goal showed what can happen when you put crosses in to the box. So close yet again for rvw and sums up his miserable season. Think we'll need at least four points. Not over yet.

That's the way I see it as well Timbo. Gracious comments from Brendon Rogers and the hilarious incident of Suarez immediate recovery from a broken leg. He is such a great player, I don't understand why he also has to such a cheat in order to achieve what he does.

Looking back over the last 2 performances it's abundantly clear that Hughton was left in charge for far too long. His brand of weak leadership + bizarre substitutions has left Neil Adams in an almost impossible position. He's trying really hard tho + we don't give in under him which is excellent. Just wish we'd got more games left !

We'll done, lads. If we're going down we want to go down fighting and you certainly showed passion, desire and commitment today. Play like that again (but for 90 minutes, please) and we have a chance. Man U are being thumped at Everton so we could get something at Old Trafford. The fat lady is tuning up but she's not singing yet - OTBC!

Hope City get some decent referees for their remaining matches as today the referee was star struck and allowed Liverpool a lot more leeway than they should have had. City ended up with 3 yellow cards and Liverpool were only given 2 yellow cards although they illegaly used their muscle and fouling tactics time and time again but I suppose that nouse gets you to the top of the league. Also some blatent time wasting went unpunished. How suprising NOT.

Took on the best team in the league, who really don't need the cheating on Skrtl and Suarez, and scared the shonet out of them. It might be too late for us know, but what a season it could have been if NA had been in charge from the beginning. Hope he gets the nod to lead us next season.

hughton took us down and mcnally should hang his head in shame, that is the norwich we want to see and who will not get booed off the pitch cause they are giving everything. Why did every norwich fan know hughton should have gone at christmas except mcnally - who will sack him for not making the decision earlier ?and what confidence can we have in him making another appointment. Good luck in our final 3 games will be going to Chelsea with hope.

At least it wasn`t another of those Hughton cave-ins. We deserved a point. Though I cannot help thinking that the Scousers were intent on just having 96 goals on the board on this particular Easter weekend..... and may have taken their foot off the pedal a bit. Look forward to seeing tomorrow`s headlines in the non-Partridge Press (they`ll copy them later). Where`s Ken Dodd when you need him? `Tears for Souvenirs`, our Kid. PS, in my adherence to a Liverpool conspiracy theory, in this particular, special, scouser year, I insist that I am not José Mourinho. Though the specious one may have a point.

No result but the belief is coming back, if only there had been more time.......but I don't do "If onlys". It's not over yet and the spirit is building, Robert is showing why there has been faith in him.